14/12/2015
Education systems worldwide need to be adaptable, skills focused and learner centric to be fit for the future according to experts at the Cambridge Schools Conference in Dubai - the largest conference of its kind ever to be organized by Cambridge International Examinations.
Over 400 teachers from around the world, including 150 teachers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) joined the event. The conference held over two days at Raffles International School, Dubai, focused on preparing young people for the challenges of the 21st century.
During the conference, world-renowned international education experts took to the stage to outline their ideas and drive debate on the education we need the will help to develop lifelong learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged.
Waseem Al Hanbali, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, said:“We are delighted to welcome so many teachers to our conference in Dubai - the largest Cambridge Schools Conference we have ever held. Teachers place great value on these events, which provide opportunities for them to share best practice with peers from around the world. This year we welcome over 150 teachers, from countries across MENA, where our community of schools continues to grow.”
There are now 622 Cambridge schools in MENA, where over 200,000 exam entries for Cambridge qualifications were made in 2015, with a 10% increase compared with 2014.
Michael O’Sullivan, Chief Executive, Cambridge International Examinations, said: “As educators, it is crucial that we understand the particular changes which are prominent in our times that impact teaching and learning. That is why this year’s conference theme is so important. The challenges that arise from the falling away of jobs for life, 21st century globalisation and the rise of digital technology defy simplistic solutions, but we have a responsibility to prepare ourselves and our learners as best we can with an education that is fit for the future.”
Ghada Barsoun, Head of Egypt British International School and conference delegate, said: ‘As this is the 7th Cambridge Schools Conference that I am attending, I can say with certainty that the conference serves as a useful and innovative platform, bringing together perspectives from different countries and cultures, and varied ways of thinking. The conference helps us as teaching professionals to think and plan ahead, and work out solutions to adapt to a technologically evolving world, while helping our children become innovative thinkers equipped to use the resources provided to them by the Cambridge curriculum’’.
Speakers included Tony Little, former Headmaster of world renowned Eton College, who noted the importance of adopting a holistic approach to education, developing visionary teachers and nurturing the relationship between teacher and student. Professor Gordon Stobart outlined the challenge of balancing 21st century skills with setting ‘standards’ for accountability and selection.
The day before the conference over 100 teachers, the vast majority from MENA, participated in workshops that focused on active learning and how to apply it in the classroom. Trainers from Cambridge ran the sessions on a range of subjects including Maths, English and Science.
http://www.cie.org.uk/news/news-details/view/over-400-teachers-from-around-the-world-attend-the-cambridge-schools-conference-in-dubai-14-december-2015/
